This is my initial experience with Madeleine Sims-Fewer—who also stars as the main character—and Dusty Mancinelli's film. I scheduled Violation for viewing at Sundance because of its disturbing but intriguing concept, and it seemed clear that this wasn’t just another standard revenge movie centered on rape. The first portion effectively showcases how impactful and visually jarring Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli intend their film to be, although the final section felt drawn out beyond my liking. Nevertheless, it's a film with an obvious intention, one that validates all of the unpleasantness with a traumatic event many women unfortunately encounter. The inclusion of explicit male nudity—something not often seen—along with unusually long shots, causes Adam Crosby’s camera to prolong already disturbing and sickening scenes, making them even harder to watch. I found myself instinctively averting my gaze at times. Miriam's descent into darkness happens rather suddenly, and her quest for retribution takes a relentlessly harsh course that I find difficult to accept as realistic. Certain actions simply bring up too many questions that ultimately detract from the story’s flow. Despite the terrible event that altered her life, Sims-Fewer’s character isn’t someone you automatically want to support, since she wasn't always a good sister or wife beforehand. Some moments feel authentic and well-earned, while others seem violent purely for visual impact. The acting is uniformly strong, but Sims-Fewer delivers a compelling performance that left me feeling unsettled throughout the film’s duration. Technically speaking, I also want to acknowledge Andrea Boccadoro's score, which is incredibly foreboding and adds to the suspenseful, unsettling atmosphere, although it occasionally becomes overly intrusive. Violation stands out as one of the most visually shocking, gruesome, and unpleasant films I’ve seen recently. Madeleine Sims-Fewer shares directing and writing duties with Dusty Mancinelli, but also takes on a somewhat polarizing lead role. While I understand her motivations and strongly condemn what she endures, she isn't an easy character to relate to or champion. The story follows a very dark path of revenge, told through an engaging nonlinear structure. However, the initial setup feels rushed and stretches beyond my personal threshold for fictional believability. Despite its occasional excessive violence, most of the brutal scenes seem justifiable. I appreciate the deliberate cinematography and the unsettling musical score. It’s recommended to viewers who aren't easily disturbed and are looking for a more thoughtful take on the revenge genre. Rating: B

Source on TMDB